Lockheed Martin and TATA Advanced Systems would produce the F-21 in India

Aero India 2019: In a big boost of PM Narendra Modi-led Union government's 'Make in India' initiative, US Defence giant Lockheed Martin on Wednesday unveiled the F-21 multi-role fighter jet to be produced locally for India.

Aero India 2019: In a big boost of PM Narendra Modi-led Union government's 'Make in India' initiative, US Defence giant Lockheed Martin on Wednesday unveiled the F-21 multi-role fighter jet to be produced locally for India. "The F-21 is an unprecedented ‘Make in India’ opportunity ─ combining the strength of Lockheed Martin, the world's largest defence contractor, and TATA, India's premier industrial house, to deliver a historic win-win for the US and India," says the official Lockheed Martin website.

"The F-21 provides unmatched opportunities for Indian companies of all sizes, including Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and suppliers throughout India, to establish new business relationships with Lockheed Martin and other industry leaders in the US and around the globe. In addition to creating thousands of new jobs for Indian industry, F-21 production in India supports thousands of US supplier jobs, including hundreds of US-based Lockheed Martin engineering, program management, sustainment and customer support positions," it adds.

DNA reported today that the proposed production of the multi-role fighter jet in India may take place in Maharashtra. In fact, several major firms have evinced interest in setting up production centres in the state. These companies include Israel's Rafael Advanced Defence Systems Ltd and Israel Aerospace, Airbus Helicopters, Thales Group, SAAB, Adani Group, Bharat Forge and Bharat Electronics.

Lockheed Martin and TATA Advanced Systems would produce the F-21 in India, for India. The US Defence major had earlier offered its F-16 fighter to India. Lockheed Martin said the F-21 addresses the IAF's unique requirements and integrates India into the world's largest fighter aircraft ecosystem.

News agency PTI quoted Dr Vivek Lall, vice president of Strategy and Business Development for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, as saying on February 20, "The F-21 is different, inside and out...The new [F-21] designation highlights our commitment to delivering an advanced, scalable fighter aircraft to the Indian Air Force that also provides unrivalled industrial opportunities and accelerates closer India-US cooperation on advanced technologies."

Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company mainly engaged in research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.